How and Why to Celebrate Good Riddance Day

Guest Author - Emily Wilska

It may seem like the last thing December needs is another holiday, but here's an unusual one worth celebrating: Good Riddance Day (December 28).

The brainchild of the Times Square Alliance (the people behind the famous New Year's Eve ball drop), Good Riddance Day is a chance to say a permanent goodbye to anything from the past year that's not worth bringing into 2011, from difficult experiences to limiting beliefs, from overexposed celebrities to a terrible boss, from a troubled relationship to a popular song from the year past that you hope never to have to hear again. In Times Square, the day is marked by the shredding (literally!) of thousands of bad memories from the past 12 months; you can submit your own good riddance requests online, and they'll be added to the shred heap.

Good Riddance Day is also a great opportunity to bid adieu to physical things that no longer deserve a spot in your space or your life. Ready to get rid of some of the clutter you've been tripping over, fretting about, and doing battle with over the past year (or longer)? Take time this week to round it up, then make a point of giving it a permanent heave-ho on December 28: toss it in the trash or recycling, bring it to a local charity, or post it for free on an online bulletin board (such as Craigslist) and let others who'll put it to use come take it off your hands.

While you're at it, take the opportunity on Good Riddance Day to toss out whatever has kept you from achieving your organizing goals in 2010: the belief that you don't have the skills to get organized (you do), that you're too lazy to really make lasting change (you're not), that your stuff is more important than your happiness (it absolutely isn't), or whatever other thoughts, emotions, and excuses have been holding you back. Starting next week, I'll share tips on how to achieve organizing success in 2011; in the meantime, use Good Riddance Day to wipe the slate clean from 2010.

Here's to joy-filled celebrations over the next few weeks, and to a refreshing, satisfying, and cleansing Good Riddance Day!